Food stamp relief available

Tri-parish residents that were affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, who are not regular state food stamp participants, may be eligible for the federal Disaster Food Stamp program.

Kristy Nichols, interim director for DSS, said, “As always, our primary concern is for the comfort and safety of our citizens.”

The Department of Social Services has designated locations throughout the Tri-parish area where residents can apply for assistance.

In Lafourche Parish, the sites are Peltier Park in Thibodaux and Bayou Centroplex in South Lafourche. For Terrebonne Parish, the sites are Bayou Black Recreation Center and the Kirschman’s Building. For St. Mary Parish, the sites are Franklin Recreation Center, West St. Mary Civic Center and Sacred Heart Church Hall.

The sites will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents in Thibodaux should be aware that the Peltier Park site does not follow the regular operation hours. The site will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“While initially there were concerns about the readiness of the site, the needs of the people in Lafourche Parish necessitated this type of response,” Nichols said. “Our workers are on the ground and will be able to accept applications from residents.”

Residents must have been living in one of the parishes affected by the storms on Aug. 29, meet the disaster income limit and have experienced one or more of the following as a result of the storm loss of food, damages to the home or self-employed business or loss of income.

At the application process, residents are asked to bring their driver’s license or some form of identification, which may include a work or school ID, voter registration card, pay stub or a birth certificate. Applicants must provide names and Social Security numbers of all the people living at the residence as of Aug. 29.

Residents with disabilities can designate an authorized representative to apply on their behalf. Also, each site manager has developed a special procedure for assisting disabled residents.

The Council on Aging staff will also be available to help elderly residents apply for assistance.

When applying, residents should be aware of the long lines. An agency representative will interview residents. If eligible, residents will receive an EBT card and benefits will be loaded on the card within 72 hours.

Applicants are asked to call (888) 524-3578 or continue to monitor the DDS’s Web site, www.dss.state.la.us, as well as the local news reports for the most current information regarding site opening, hours of operation, eligibility and information required to fill out the application forms.